Birds

This is the day the Lord has made

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it Psalm 118:24

We may not always remember what day of the week, what month of the year or even what year it is while we are filling out our check in the grocery store. But whether we remember the date, today will always be the Lord’s day. We can long for the past or wish for the future but in quiet rejoicing there is rest. kimg0474

When we are struggling some people tell us that “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” in an effort to encourage us to go on. But another reality is that yesterday was the last day of the past of your life. That past victory or defeat now sits far beyond our control but our today belongs to Jesus Christ. Yielding moment by moment to Jesus will allow us to experience a joy that comes only at His side!

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
    in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
But you were unwilling Isaiah 30:14

 

Being Content

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

In Paul’s letter from a roman jail to the church he makes the astonishing statement:

Philippians 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content

This week end as I was walking with my grandson I took several pictures of some birds who were flocking around tree branch just above our heads. They didn’t seem much disturbed by our approach or our voices as we watched them. On closer examination I discovered that they were perfectly content right where they were because they were surrounded by the abundance of seeds in the ash tree where they perched.

Paul found himself “perched” in prison but he had discovered contentment. He saw around him the opportunity to share the gospel, a place for prayer and most importantly for us a place to write a good portion of what we call the New Testament!

Where have you found yourself perched today? Can you see the provision that God has  deposited abundantly in the branches around you? Every place has its own season of abundance. Every restriction focuses us on what we can still do. Every unwanted change, every circumstance beyond our control and every unexpected sorrow draws us closer to our Savior whose promises never change, who never lets us go and whose presence gives us comfort through every stormp1020480

Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
and long for heaven and home?
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is he;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me   Civilla Martin “His Eye is on the Sparrow”